Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton didn't have to stay at her friend's house for two days to take care of her after surgery.

She was not expected to spend countless hours volunteering with kids in the "dragon boat" program or at community forums calling for an end to the violence.

The 17-year Orlando police veteran, newlywed and mother of an adult son did not need to start a nonprofit for young women and girls who were victims of violence.

But she did, anyway.

"I didn't know anyone with a bigger heart," said friend Teresa Sokolovic, holding back tears. "She was an angel."

Clayton, one of the first officers to respond to the Pulse shooting in June, was gunned down Monday morning near a Wal-Mart on John Young Parkway and Princeton Street while confronting 41-year-old Markeith Loyd, who is wanted for murder.

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Lt. Debra Clayton and Deputy Norman Lewis were killed on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. One year later, Clayton's husband and Lewis' mother remember their loved ones.

Lt. Debra Clayton and Deputy Norman Lewis were killed on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. One year later, Clayton's husband and Lewis' mother remember their loved ones.

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Lt. Debra Clayton and Deputy Norman Lewis were killed on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. One year later, Clayton's husband and Lewis' mother remember their loved ones.

Lt. Debra Clayton and Deputy Norman Lewis were killed on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. One year later, Clayton's husband and Lewis' mother remember their loved ones.

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One year after her death, Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton's husband and half-sister reflect on the woman behind the badge.

One year after her death, Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton's husband and half-sister reflect on the woman behind the badge.

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Orlando police officer Debra Clayton was remembered and celebrated at a three-hour funeral on Saturday, January 14, 2017.

Orlando police officer Debra Clayton was remembered and celebrated at a three-hour funeral on Saturday, January 14, 2017.

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Funeral services were held in honor of DFC Norman Cecil Lewis at the First Orlando Baptist Church.

Funeral services were held in honor of DFC Norman Cecil Lewis at the First Orlando Baptist Church.

Clayton was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she died. Officers saluted her flag-draped casket as a medical examiner's vehicle took her body away.

Orlando police Chief John Mina hailed her as a hero.

"She gave her life protecting the community that she loved," he said.

Hours after the killing, friends gathered in front of Clayton's home on a tree-lined street in Ocoee, where neighbors say they shared power washers and tools with each other.

Sokolovic, a teacher at St. Cloud High School, met Clayton in December 2015 at a charity event at Camping World Stadium.

(FOX 35) Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill sayd Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was a giving person and loved to work on youth projects. She helped distribute turkeys and was an ideal model of 21st century policing.

(FOX 35) Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill sayd Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was a giving person and loved to work on youth projects. She helped distribute turkeys and was an ideal model of 21st century policing.

She said the two became fast friends, and Clayton spent two days at her home last year after she had surgery to take care of her.

Clayton was a good police officer who was "on top of her game," Sokolovic said.

"If he got her, he must be armed and really dangerous," she said.

Clayton grew up in Orlando and attended Dr. Phillips High School before joining the Orlando Police Department in 1999, said her cousin, Jonathan Thomas.

Clayton earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida in 1998 and a master's degree in criminal justice from UCF in 2002.

She always wanted to be a police officer, her cousin said.

"It was her passion," Thomas said. "She wanted to be a police officer so she could do good and get bad people off the streets."

Neighbors remembered her friendly smile and quick wave to say hello.

"We were like family," said Sanita Dhanraj, who lived two doors down from Clayton for 14 years. "She was very sweet and caring. It was heart-breaking to hear what happened to her."

Mina said teams are in place to help Clayton's family "that are going to be at their side continuously as they make plans for laying her to rest."

He added that Clayton was involved with Parramore Kidz Zone and other mentoring programs. The department released 38 pages of awards and commendations from her bosses and citizens hailing her work as an officer who went above and beyond her duty.

Throughout the day, the department tweeted out photos of Clayton, not of her slapping handcuffs on criminals (though she did plenty of that as a dayshift patrol officer), but of her with a big smile on her face with kids and community members at events.

"THIS is how we know and remember Sgt. Debra Clayton," the department tweeted. "She always had a smile for kids and always took a moment to interact with community."

For years, OPD has participated in a "dragon boat" mentoring project in which cops team up with disadvantaged youth in rowing competitions.

Andrea Eliscu, who started the program, said Clayton had been a mentor for the past four years.

"The kids are just finding out, and they are just devastated," Eliscu said. "Everybody loved her. She was very beautiful, professional and passionate."

Clayton was an active member of the Urban League's anti-violence task force and was starting a nonprofit, said Rev. Justin R. Felton Sr., a former executive aide to Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill.

"She understood the responsibility of being an officer is that you get to know those who you are serving and those who you are protecting," Felton said. "I believe when she took that oath, she meant it. Not only is she a model officer, she embodied it. I can't express how much people will miss her."

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings hired Clayton when he was Orlando police chief and said he used to attend the same church with her.

"She is someone who I know very well," he said. "My heart goes out to her family as well as the entire Orlando Police Department."

She was married on Jan. 1, 2016, to Seth Leron Clayton, according to marriage records. Neighbors said they got married on a cruise.

Felton went to a basketball game with the couple last year.

"He loved his wife," said Felton. "They were newlyweds in so many areas — you could see the love and how they talked with each other."